Electric switch



-June 21,1938. .1.6. PETERSON l 2,121,571

ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed 001). 24, 1955 i531. EQ2.

24 A2 :f2-rl Q l|11 INVENTOIR:

JOHAN GP T 0N f7 16 V5 ATTORNEY.

Patented June 21, 1938 UNITED STATES rATENT orrics 11 Claims.

My invention relates to electric switches.

It has among its objects to provide an improved operating mechanism for a switch of the type having automatic holding or ratchet mechanism hold.-

5 ing the contacts in their different positions, and actuating mechanism operative upon actuation of an actuatingmember to release and actuate the movable contact mechanism of the switch. A Vfurther object of my invention is to provide an improved operatingmechanism for a switch of the construction described and claimed in my copending application Serial No. 751,995, led November 8, 1934, and, more particularly, to provide an improved operating mechanism especially adapted to use in connection with a combined holding and actuating device such as described and claimed in that application. Another object is to provide improved means whereby a holding mechanism of the ratchet type described in that 20 application is improved in such manner as to prevent all possibility of releasing one side of the ratchet before the other or stalling of the mechanism when slowly operated. These and other objects and advantages of my improved-construction will, however, hereinafter more fully appear.

In the accompanying drawing, I have shown for purposes of illustration one embodiment which my invention may assume in practice.

In the drawing:-

Figure l is a front elevation of a switch constructed in accordance with my improvement;

Fig. 2 is a top plan View of the same, the commutator and different positions of the actuating member being indicated in dotted lines;

Fig. 3 is a sectional View on line 3--3 of Figure 2;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view on line 4--4 of Figure 2;

Fig. 5 is a detail sectional View on line 5 5 of Figure 4;

Fig. 6 is a plan view of the structure shown in Figure 2, with both the top terminal carrying plate and commutator lifted off and the actuating member broken away to facilitate illustration;

Fig. 7 is a View similar to Figure 6, but with the Winged cam member likewise lifted oli to show the actuating cam carried by the actuating member;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged detail View of the wing cam member, the View being at right angles to that shown in Figure 5; n

Fig. 9 is an enlarged detail end View of the actuating cam shown in plan in Figure 7;

Fig. 10 is a detail sectional view on line I-l of Figure 9, and

Fig. 11 is a detail plan View of the supplementary ratchet spring.

In this illustrative construction, I have shown the same embodied in a switch of the general construction described and claimed in my above mentioned application. As shown, this switch comprises a frame I carrying within the same a commutator, generally indicated at 2 and rotatable on a central stationary stud 3 and carrying two separate series oi contacts 4; this commutator 2 being adapted to be swung with a snap action to cause contacts 4 to engage or disengage stationary contacts on a top plate t carrying terminals i, as a result of swinging an actuatingmember S from a central oil position, indicated in full lines in Figure 2, to either of the two dotted on positions illustrated in that ligure.

My present improvements are concerned with the holding and actuating mechanism for such a switch disposed within the frame l below the commutator and around the base of the stud 3 and are illustrated as applied to a holding and actuating mechanism of the prior construction and disposed at the inner end of the actuating member 8 and operative as the latter moves about its pivot on the stud 3. Further, these improvements comprise an improved construction of certain of the parts of this mechanism whereby improved results hereinafterdescribed, are obtained.

Referring more particularly to the improved structure, it will be noted that herein the frame l is provided with a depressedaxial portion 9 in its bottom, in which the stud 3 is suitably xed as at Il?. Further, it will be noted that in the chamber ll thus formed in the bottom l2 of the frame, the pivot portion or actuating cam carrying portion i3 oi the actuating member 3 is disposed and rotatable, as distinguished from being disposed and rotatable in a recess formed on a separate plate disposed above a iiat frame bottom, as in the structure of my previous application. Further, it will be observed that an axiallyy apertured plate M, generally similar to that previously used, is provided herein and attached as at l5 to the top surface of the frame bottom i2. Herein, also, this plate l@ is provided with two oppositely located series of notches l5 in the periphery of its axial aperture, three on each side as heretofore. However, it will be noted that these notches are herein spaced above the new chamber Il and that the portion i3, movable with the actuating member 8, is provided with extensions ll oi improved form. These, as shown, extend under the plate I4 and also are slightly longer than the notches so that they are movable beneath the latter as the actuating member is moved about its pivot. More particularly, the portions il are provided with iiat topped extensions i8 movable in a correspending annular recess i8 beneath the bottom of the plate ifi and between the latter and the periphery of the depressed portion 9 on the frame bottom i 2, so that the extremities of these portions it always underlie the plate Hl in all positions of the parts. Moreover, it will be noted that rounded cam surfaces i9 are provided on the tops of these portions il at points slightly spaced inward from the portions I8, and, like said portions, also disposed wholly within the vertical limits of the chamber i I.

These cam surfaces i9 herein cooperate with the under cam faces of improved and corren spondingly rounded wing cams 2D, normally extending down to opposite sides thereof as shown in Figure 5, and carried on an improved vertically movable holding member 2 I, generally similar to that in my prior application, and movable upward upon rotation of +Ahe cam portions Il and projected downward by a coiled spring 22 acting upon both the holding and actuating mechanism. In this construction, as in my previous construction, this spring is also coiled about a sleeve member on the lower end of the stud 3 and has its free ends 24 engaging opposite sides oi one of a pair of commutator actuating members 25 carried on a member 26 which, in turn, underlies the member 2l and is xed, as at 2l, to the bottom of the sleeve 23. Further, as heretofore, these free ends 2li also extend on opposite sides of an upward projection 28, parallel to this member and carried on the cam carrying portion i3 movable with the handle 8. However, it will be noted that herein the member ZI is provided at its extremities and beyond the wing cams 2li, with straight extensions 29 receivable in the notches i6, as distinguished from the bent down portions of my prior construction. Moreover, it will be observed that between the bottom coil of the spring 22 and the member 2|, an improved supplementary plate spring 3@ is provided having an annular hub portion underlying the spring 22, and lugs 3l extending on opposite sides of the bottoms of the arms Y2"', and also spring arms 32 downwardly flexed and. pressing on the extensions 2Q on the member 2i.

As a result of this construction, it will be noted that, while acted upon from above by the spring 22, this spring 35i normally maintains its hub portion spaced above the coaxial portion of the member 2i as indicated, while also tending to press the member 2l downward with equal pressures at its opposite ends.

In the operation of my improved construction, it will be noted that the switch mechanism will function generally similarly to my previous construction, i. e. the actuating mechanism will release the holding mechanism, and thereupon actuate the commutator with a snap action and permit the holding mechanism to move downward to a new holding position, all while utilizing a single spring cooperating with both the holding and actuating mechanisms. More particularly considering the operation, whenever the actuating member 8 is swung about the stud 3, the cam carrying portion I3 and the cams I9 and the projecting ends IS thereon, being moved within the vertical limits of the chamber i i, both ends I8 will underlie the plate Iii in all positions of those ends I8. Further, as thisA member i3 is operated, the cams It thereon, through their engagement with the wing cams 2E, will cause the extensions 2e on the member 2i to be lifted up out of the notches I6 to release the holding member 2l while said member is under equal pressure at its opposite ends exerted by the ends of the spring Sill. Further, the spring 22 will be compressed as the above operation occurs and as the projection 28 on the portion i3 is also being moved or swung laterally about the center stud, the spring 22 will also be placed under tension. Thus, due to the tensioning of the spring 22, as soon as the extensions 29 are moved vertically to release from the notches I6, through the connection of the members 25 to the commutator 2, the latter will be swung by the spring 22 to change the circuit connections as heretofore while both the springs 22 and 38 will thereafter function to seat the extensions 2Q in their new position.

As a result of my improved construction, despite the canting tendency of the `spring 22, it is impossible for the end portions I8 to move in any other than a horizontal path in the annular passage I8 prescribed for these portions between the plate I4 and the chamber II. Thus, it is made impossible for the cam portions I9 to be raised at one side and thereby cause the holding portions 29 to be canted or thrown out or released at one side before release at the other. Instead, both extensions 29 must simultaneously release, and neither side can be cocked or canted since they are both acted upon equally by the spring 3l] while the cams I8 move in the fixed plane as described. Moreover, as a result of this construction, a more certainly operating mechanism is produced wherein even under the most adverse condition, i. e. very slow operation of the actuating member 8, it is impossible for the switch mechanism to be stalled, the improved structure being such and the several parts being so guided and actuated that they and the spring 22 function equally eiectively under all conditions. At the same time that the. parts are so guided and directed as to eliminate any tendency to cause cooking or release of one side of the ratchet before the other, it will also be observed that the load on the mechanism under adverse conditions, such as slow operation, is decreased in such manner as to increase the life of the mechanism. Here, of course, it will also be evident that the improved structure also may be very cheaply produced, the chamber II in the bottom plate of the frame being such as to be readily formed in a stamp-ing operation, while the cost of extending the portions Il is inappreciable and the elimination of any depending projections on the holding member further simplifies the manufacture of the latter. These and other advantages of my improved construction will, however, be clearly apparent to those skilled in the art.

While I have in this application specifically described one form which my invention may assume in practice, it will be understood that this form of the same is used for illustrative purposes and that the invention may be modified and embodied in other forms without departing from its spirit or the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent isz- 1. In an electric switch, movable Contact actuating mechanism having a swinging actuating cam, releasable holding mechanism including oppositely located holding notches and a swinging holding member actuated by said actuating cam and movable into and out of notches at opposite f sides of its axis in each holding position, spring means for normally holding said member in said notches, and means for inhibiting release of said holdingmember from any notch in ad-V vance of release from the opposite notch.

2. In an electric switch, movable Contact actuating mechanism having an actuating member, releasable holding mechanism including oppositely located holding notches and a swinging holding member actuated by said actuating member and movable into and out of notches at opposite sides of its axis in each holding position, spring means for normally holding said member in said notches, and means for inhibiting canting of said actuating member and said holding member so that the latter will be released from opposite notches simultaneously.

3. In an electric switch, movable contact actuating mechanism having an actuating member, releasable holding mechanism including oppositely located holding notches and a swinging holding' member actuated by said actuating member and movable into and out of notches at opposite sides of its axis in each holding position, guiding means for said actuating member including means overlying the same in all positions thereof to prevent canting thereof, and means acting on said holding member adjacent its extremities to prevent canting thereof.

4. In an electric switch, the combination with a combined holding and actuating mechanism including a swinging actuating cam, an axially apertured holding plate having oppositely located holding notches in the periphery oi' its axial aperture, and a swinging holding member disposable in diierent angular holding positions and having opposite portions received in certain of said notches and vertically movable by said actuating cam to release it from said notches, of spring means for normally holding said holding member in said notches, and means for inhibiting canting of said actuating cam.

5. In an electric switch, the combination with a combined holding and actuating mechanism including a swinging actuating cam having opposite peripherally projecting' portions, an axially apertured holding plate having oppositely located holding notches in the periphery of its axial aperture, and a swinging holding member disposable in different angular holding positions and having opposite portions received in certain of said notches and vertically movable by said actuating cam to release it from said notches, of means for inhibiting canting of said actuating cam comprising xed peripheral guiding means for the latter engaging said peripherally projecting portions and operative in all positions thereof.

6. In an electric switch, the comb-ination with a combined holding and actuating mechanism including a swinging actuating cam, an axially apertured holding plate having oppositely located holding notches in the periphery of its axial aperture, and a swinging holding member disposed in different angular holding positions and having opposite portions received in certain of said notches and vertically movable by said actuating cam to release it from said notches, and means tending to maintain said holding member in parallel planes in all positions thereof including a spring acting on said holding member adjacent the extremities of said opposite portions.

7. In an electric switch, the combination with a combined holding and actuating mechanism including a swinging actuating cam, an axially apertured holding plate having oppositely located holding notches in the periphery of its axial aperture, and a swinging holding member disposed in different angular holding positions and having opposite arm portions receivedin certain of said notches and vertically movable by said actuating cam to release it from said notches, and means tending to maintain said holding member in parallel planes in all positions thereof including a plate spring acting on said holding member and having portions pressing on the opposite arms thereof.

8. In an electric switch, combined holding and actuating mechanism including a swinging actuating cam, holding means including oppositely located holding notches and a cooperating swinging holding member having opposite portions received in said notches and vertically movable by said. actuating cam to release said notches, and moans for maintaining said actuating cam in a single plane in all positions thereof including a plate having said notches therein and extensions on said actuating cam underlying said plate in all positions of said cam.

9. In an electric switch, combined holding and actuating mechanism including a swinging actuating cam, holding means including oppositely 1ocated holding notches and a cooperating swinging holding member having opposite portions received Ain said notches and movable by said actuating cam to release the same, said actuating cam being movable in a plane below said notches and said holding member in each holding position being disposed in the plane of said notches and having depending winged cams engaging said actuating cam and oppositely extending straight end portions received in certain of said notches.

10. In an electric switch, the combination of a casing, ratchet mechanism in said casing comprising a swinging actuating member lying against the bottom of the casing having opposite radially projecting cam arms, an axially movable holding member coaxial with said actuating member and having opposite cam arms overlying those of said actuating member and engageable thereby, a ratchet plate having an aperture in which said holding member is mounted in the plane of the plate and provided with notches oppositely disposed and adapted to receive the cam arms of said holding member, and spring means for controlling the operation of said ratchet mechanismincluding a plate spring having arms pressing against the arms of said holding member to hold said member in planes parallel to the casing bottom.

1l. In an electric switch, a casing having a closed bottom with a depressed portion therein, an apertured ratchet plate overlyingthe bottom of the casing around said depressed portion with the edge of the aperture overhanging the depression in the casing bottom and provided with oppositely located notches, an actuating cam swiveled in said depressed portion and having opposite cam arm portions below the plane of the ratchet plate extended at their ends so as to be retained by said plate in all positions of the cam, a ratchet member having opposite arms in the plane of said plate provided with depending cam portions engaging the arms of said actuating cam, said ratchet member being axially movable to bring its arms into and out of engagement with opposite notches of said plate, and spring means acting upon the arms of said ratchet member and urging them into engagement with opposite notches.

JOHANN G. PETERSON. 

